Wire spool cart

ABSTRACT

In the wiring industry is often necessary to either run a number of individual wires together as a bundle or to use a variety of different types of wire on a regular basis. In either case it is cumbersome to have to handle a number of individual spools of wire while working on an installation. Therefore, the present invention presents an easily maneuvered, four wheeled cart upon which a number of spools of wire, or other spooled material, of either like size or different sizes, can be rotatably mounted along inclined plane such that wires can be pulled from multiple spools without becoming entangled one with another. A wire guide aids in bringing the various wires together as a bundle for pulling as a single unit.

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of Ser. No. 09/296,419, filedApr. 23, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,533.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the wiring installation industry, as itmight relate to electrical, telephone, fiber optics or any other areawhere a plurality of wires are run together or where a variety ofdifferent types of wire are used on the same job site. Moreparticularly, the invention comprises a cart upon which a plurality ofspools of wire, either of the same or different types, can be placed inorder to facilitate the easy storage, movement and installation of thewire.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,232, issued to John A. Lambert, Jr. on May 31, 1994presents a OMNIDIRECTIONAL WIRE DISPENSER from which wire may bedispensed from a plurality of spools simultaneously. Lambert discloses ahorizontal framework mounted with wheels at a first end and anextendable handle extending at a second end, the handle extending from acentral shaft running from the first end to the second end. Mountedhorizontally and orthogonal to the central shaft are a plurality ofspool holders, each designed to hold a single spool of wire, andtensioning bars to exert tension on the spools as wire is played out.Spools are retained on the spool holders by retaining clips at the endof each bar. A grid in the top of the framework forms wire guide windowssuch that the wire from each individual spool exits the frameworkseparately and can be pulled in any direction, either individually orjointly with other wires. Having wheels at only one end, Lambertrequires a degree of lifting for movement, while the present inventionis mounted on four wheels for easy mobility. The present invention alsoprovides the added convenience of a storage surface which Lambert doesnot have.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,981, issued to Steven M. Pavelka on Feb. 15, 1994presents a WIRE DISPENSER from which wire may again be dispensed from aplurality of spools simultaneously. Pavelka discloses a centralrectangular frame having an axle mounted perpendicularly to the lowerend of a first, or rear, of the longer members and a horizontal frontstabilizing bar mounted perpendicularly to the lower end of the second,or front, of the longer members. Parallel to the axle and stabilizingbar are a plurality of spool bars mounted to both of the longer membersof the frame. Spools are retained on the spool bars by retaining clipsat the end of each bar. Again, Pavelka requires a degree of lifting formovement, due to the two wheel configuration, while the presentinvention is mounted on four wheels for easy mobility. And again, thepresent invention also provides the added convenience of a storagesurface which Pavelka does not have.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,349, issued to Norman P. Tussing on Jan. 4, 1994,presents a CART FOR SPOOLS OF WIRE from which wire may again bedispensed from a plurality of spools simultaneously. Tussing discloses a“T” shaped tri-cycle frame with the single wheel having a pivotingmotion. Mounted vertically above the single wheel is a handleterminating in an eye at it uppermost end. Mounted at the juncture ofthe leg and the cross arm of the “T” of the frame is a spool supportassembly, being basically vertical, having a plurality of spool barsmounted horizontally thereto, parallel with the cross arm of the “T” ofthe frame. At the top of the spool support assembly, level with the eyeof the handle, is a sleeve for receiving a mandrel, running from the eyeof the handle, for supporting a large diameter spool of wire. Wires fromthe plurality of spools mounted on the cart may also be run through theeye when being pulled as a bundle. Tussing provides for ease of mobilitythrough a three wheel cart, but still does not provide the addedconvenience of a storage surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,308, issued to Norman P. Tussing on Feb. 23, 1993presents a WIRE CART FOR OPTIONAL USE AS A CONDUIT CART from which wiremay be dispensed from a plurality of spools simultaneously, upon whichelectrical conduit may be carried, or a combination of the two. Tusslinghere discloses a cart composed of a central, longitudinal frame memberwith a cross frame member at each end, supported by wheels at each ofthe four corners of the cart. Vertical post assemblies are mounted atthe junction of the longitudinal frame member and each of the crossmembers, each vertical post assembly supporting a number of basicallyhorizontal spool/conduit supports parallel to the cross members of theframe. Removable vertical post assemblies may be mounted along thecentral, longitudinal frame member for additional spool/conduitsupports, as needed. Additionally, each vertical post has at ituppermost limit a sleeve for receiving a bar running longitudinally ofthe cart for supporting larger spools. Tussing provides for ease ofmobility through a four wheel cart, but still does not provide the addedconvenience of a storage surface or easy steerability of a separatehandle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,091, issued to Reed H. Knight, et. al., on Aug. 6,1985 presents a PORTABLE MULTIPLE SPOOL WIRE DISPENSER a mountingbracket which can be mounted on the rear legs of a step ladder toreceive a rod for holding several small spools of wire. While useful forrelatively small wiring installation, Knight does not provide theflexibility for large numbers of spools or large sized spools, nor doesit provide the storage capacity of the present invention.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the wiring industry is often necessary to either run a number ofindividual wires together as a bundle or to use a variety of differenttypes of wire on a regular basis. In either case it is cumbersome tohave to handle a number of individual spools of wire while working on aninstallation.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a cartupon which a number of spools of wire can be stored easily.

It is another object of the invention to provide a cart upon which anumber of spools of wire can be transported easily.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cart from which anumber of spools of wire can be installed easily, either as a bundle ofdifferent wires or as different individual wires.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cart with which itis easy to navigate about an installation site.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a cart which can beused by a single individual.

It is again an object of the invention to provide a cart which canaccommodate spools of different sizes.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cart which iseconomical to produce.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which isinexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

The sole FIGURE is an environmental perspective of the invention, withwire spools installed in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Cart 1 has a base 10, having a generally rectangular frame 12 andstorage tray 14. Frame 12 is mounted with a pair of wheels 16 mounted byaxle 18 and flanges 20 proximate its front corners and swivelling casterstyle wheels 22 proximate its rear corners. Front post 24 is mountednormal to base 10, centered along the front edge of frame 12, adjacentto and behind wire guide post 26, which has a slight deviation fromnormal toward the front of frame 12. Rear post 28 is mounted normal tobase 10 centered along the rear edge of frame 12. Spool rod support 30is mounted at one end to the top of front post 24, extending beyond andresting atop rear post 28, terminating at its second end in handle bars32. Mounted horizontally and orthogonal to spool rod support 30 are aplurality of evenly spaced spool rods 34. Mounted at the top of wireguide post 26 is wire guide 36, a rectangular frame, open at its center,allowing wire 42 from spools 38 and 40 mounted on the various spool rods34 to be brought together as a bundle to be directed for pulling as aunit.

The respective heights of rear post 28, front post 24 and wire guidepost 26 are such that handle bars 32 are at a height between the waistand chest of an average adult and wire 42 from each spool 38 or 40mounted along spool rod support 30 can be run to wire guide 36 withoutinterference from wire 42 from the next lower spool 38 or 40 when thewire 42 is run from each spool 38 or 40 in an over the top fashion.

Spool rods 34 are sized and spaced such that two smaller spools 38 canbe placed on each spool rod 34 on both the right and left side of spoolrod support 30. Alternatively, one larger spool 40 could be placed onthe every second spool rod 34, with the intervening spool rods 34 beingleft empty. Smaller spools 38 and larger spools 40 could also beinstalled together in a number of different configurations. Tray 14could be used to store additional spools 38 or 40 of wire 42 or otheritems, such as tools.

It would be evident to one skilled in the art that the present inventioncould be produced in a variety of sizes to accommodate large,intermediate and small applications.

It would likewise be evident to one skilled in the art that the presentinvention could be produced from a variety of materials, althoughaluminum or light weight steel would probably be preferable.

It would be further evident to one skilled in the art that spool rods 34could be of varying diameter or have sleeves fit over them toaccommodate different diameters of spool cores.

It would be even further evident to one skilled in the art that spoolrods 34 could have a retaining clip of any variety at their ends to holdspools 38 or 40 in place.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wire spool cart comprising, a rectangular baseframe, having a front, a rear, and a right and left side, a pair ofnon-swivelling wheels proximate the front corners of said base frame, apair of swivelling, caster type wheels proximate the rear corners ofsaid base frame, a front post centered upon the front member of saidbase frame and rigidly mounted normal thereto, a rear post centered uponthe rear member of said frame and rigidly mounted normal thereto, aspool rod support rigidly mounted at one end to the top of said frontpost, extending rearwardly and being rigidly mounted at a second end tothe top of said rear post, said front post being of a lesser height thansaid rear post such that said spool rod support slopes upwardly from thefront of said cart to the rear of said cart, said spool rod supporthaving a plurality of spool rods rigidly mounted horizontally andorthogonal to said spool rod support, a wire guide post rigidly mounted,angled with a minor forward sloping deviation from normal to said baseframe in front of said front post, and a wire guide, having a verticalrectangular frame, forming one central opening, is rigidly mounted tothe top of said wire guide post such that said wire guide is situatedslightly in front of and above the lowest of said spool rods, allowingwire from spools mounted on the various of said spool rods to be broughttogether as a bundle to be directed for pulling as a unit.
 2. A wirespool cart, as defined in claim 1, wherein said base frame has mountedwithin a longitudinal plane created by the frame thereof a storageshelf.
 3. A wire spool cart, as defined in claim 1, wherein said spoolrod support extends rearwardly, beyond said rear post, terminating in ahandlebar, rigidly mounted horizontally and extending orthogonally fromsaid spool rod support, said handlebar being attached at the centerpoint of said handlebar; and said handlebar, in conjunction with saidswivelling wheels, adapted for steerage of the wire spool cart frombehind said wire spool cart.
 4. A wire spool cart comprising, arectangular base frame, having a front, a rear, and a right and leftside, a pair of non-swivelling wheels proximate the front corners ofsaid base frame, a pair of swivelling, caster style wheels proximate therear corners of said base frame, a front post centered upon the frontmember of said base frame and rigidly mounted normal thereto, and a rearpost centered upon the rear member of said frame and mounted normalthereto, said rear post being of greater height than said front post, aspool rod support rigidly mounted at one end to the top of said frontpost, rigidly mounted at an intermediate point to the top of said rearpost, and extending rearwardly from said rear post, terminating at asecond end with a handlebar, rigidly mounted horizontally andorthogonally at said second end of said spool support rod and at thecenter point of said handlebar, and said handlebar, in conjunction withsaid swivelling wheels, adapted for steerage of the wire spool cart frombehind said wire spool cart, and said spool support rod further having aplurality of spool rods, said plurality of spool rods are rigidlymounted horizontally and orthogonal from said spool rod support, a wireguide post rigidly mounted at an angle in front of said front post witha minor forward sloping deviation from normal to said base frame andhaving rigidly mounted at the top thereof a wire guide, having avertical rectangular frame, open at the center thereof, such that saidwire guide is situated slightly in front of and above the lowest of saidspool rods, allowing wire from spools mounted on the various of saidspool rods to be brought together as a bundle to be directed for pullingas a unit, and a storage shelf mounted within a longitudinal planecreated by said base frame.